Rwanda, China strengthen joint Commission

The Government of Rwanda and the People’s Republic of China held on May 13, 2013 the 7th session of Joint Committee on Economic, Technical and Trade cooperation in Kigali.

After the meeting, the two sides signed four documents including the minutes on the 7th session of the joint committee, the agreement on economic and trade cooperation with a grant of RMB 50 million provided by Chinese government to Rwandan government, the exchange of letter for technology cooperation on MINAFFET building and the exchange of letter for technical cooperation for Bamboo cultivation, processing and utilization.

The session was marked by discussions on the state of cooperation in different areas such as bilateral trade, Investment cooperation, Development cooperation as well as Contacted Projects.

The meeting was co- chaired by hon. Silas Lwakabamba, The minister of Infrastructure of The republic of Rwanda and Mr. Li Jinzao, the Vice- Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China.

The meeting commended the achievements made in the development cooperation between the two countries since the Sixth Session of the Joint Committee that took place in Beijing in 2009.

They expressed readiness to strengthen economic ties and further reaffirmed their commitment and determination to enhance bilateral cooperation in order to improve the living standards of the peoples of the two countries.

In his remarks, Hon. Silas Lwakabamba expressed Rwanda’s gratitude of bilateral cooperation between Rwanda and China and noted the importance of JCC between two countries.

“The Joint Commission between our two countries provides a good platform to develop strategies with a view to strengthening our bilateral relations.

It is a success that all projects of the 6th JCC are completed. – We appreciate the commitment by the Government of China to extend the Duty-free treatment to 95% of Rwandan products to the Chinese market. We want also to appreciate a significant presence of Chinese companies in Rwanda.

“The presence of these companies is a clear vote of confidence in our country’s investment climate,”says Lwakabamba, who also mentioned Rwandan Government commitment to conclude on-going discussions for the implementation of construction of the Government Administrative Office Complex and the Masaka-Kabuga Road.

He further stressed on the need to see the model cooperation between the two countries being shifted from a current ad hoc model to a strategic planed model to respond to the requirements of our Government’s Economic Development Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) II.

In his turn, Mr. Li Jinzao, the Vice- Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China welcomed the 7th session and saluted the rapid progress in economic and trade cooperation between China and Rwanda that was registered since the last session of JCC.

The Vice minister mentioned that in 2012, the bilateral trade value between the two countries has been doubled since 2009 and reached to USD 160 million.

“China and Rwanda are good friend and have good relation in international affairs. Chinese companies have been playing important role in the economic development of Rwanda and have undertaken the construction of roads, electricity facilities and water supply as well as investment in digital TV broadcasting in Rwanda. So, the future of the cooperation between Rwanda and China is promising” mentioned Mr. Li Jinzao.

After the meeting, the two sides signed four documents including the minutes on the 7th session of the joint committee, the agreement on economic and trade cooperation with a grant of RMB 50 million provided by Chinese government to Rwandan government, the exchange of letter for technology cooperation on MINAFFET building and the exchange of letter for technical cooperation for Bamboo cultivation, processing and utilization.

The Diplomatic relations between Rwanda and china have been established since November 1971 and the Government of China has been providing technical support in Agriculture; Health; Education and Infrastructure.

The completed projects with success include the Agriculture Technology Demonstration Center at Rubona; Two rural primary schools for 9-year basic education in Rulindo and Gatsibo; Masaka Polyclinic Hospital and the supplementary works; Technical cooperation for Bamboo cultivation and Craft Processing, Phase II; Kinamba-Gisozi Memorial site road; and others still in pipeline.